The incarcerated veterans transition program (IVTP) is designed to assist veterans in transitioning from incarceration to stable employment and independent living

The Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) awarded a $624,000 Project Grant to Ser-Jobs For Progress of the Texas Gulf Coast Inc. effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, under the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (CFDA 17.805). The Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program (IVTP) funded through this award provides comprehensive employment and reintegration services to veterans transitioning from incarceration. Core services include personalized career coaching and exploration, vocational training in high-demand fields (Commercial Drivers License training, warehouse forklift certification, and OSHA-10 construction training), job readiness support, and employment placement assistance with employer connections. The program also delivers wraparound supportive services addressing barriers to successful reentry, including housing referrals, mental health support, transportation assistance, and connections to veterans benefits.

Staffing funded through the grant includes dedicated personnel providing intensive, individualized case management and career coaching aligned with participant employment and reintegration goals. The program emphasizes follow-up support to facilitate sustained long-term employment and stability, with services designed to reduce recidivism among formerly incarcerated veterans and help them achieve independent living. Service delivery will be conducted in Texas by the recipient organization, an established nonprofit workforce development provider with extensive experience serving disadvantaged populations including justice-involved individuals and veterans.

IT focuses on reducing recidivism by providing job training, career counseling, employment placement assistance, and extensive supportive services such as housing referrals, mental health support, and connections to veterans benefits. IVTP helps veterans overcome barriers to reentry, including legal challenges, lack of work history, and difficulty accessing services. By equipping them with vocational skills, job readiness training, and connections to employers, the program ensures that they have sustainable career opportunities. Additionally, IVTP emphasizes follow-up support to help veterans maintain long-term employment and stability.activities funded by the grant include personalized career coaching and exploration, ensuring each participant receives guidance tailored to their unique skills, interests, and long-term career goals. Participants have access to vocational training programs designed to equip them with in-demand certifications and technical skills necessary for securing stable employment. Specifically, the grant funds commercial drivers license (CDL) training, warehouse forklift training, and construction training, including OSHA-10 certification, providing participants with valuable, industry-recognized credentials. Grant funding will support dedicated personnel who deliver intensive, individualized career coaching and case management that directly aligns with participant employment and successful reentry goals. The program offers job readiness support, connections to employer partners, and wraparound services to address barriers such as housing instability, mental health needs, and transportation challenges. This approach ensures participants are not only trained but also supported in successfully transitioning into the workforce and achieving long-term stability.IVTP grant is designed to serve those in the communities of harris county, fort bend county, and montgomery county, TX. The intended beneficiaries include: vets currently incarcerated who are preparing for release within 18 months and need workforce training and reentry support, vets released within the last 18 months from incarceration who require employment assistance, job training, and supportive services to secure stable employment and housing, vets struggling with barriers such as homelessness, substance abuse recovery, mental health challenges, or lack of access to essential resources.by providing intensive case management, occupational training, individualized supportive services, job placement assistance, and leveraging strategic partnerships, serjobs IVTP 2025 program will empower participants to achieve stable employment, secure housing, and successful community reintegration, ultimately reducing recidivism among this vulnerable veteran population.78 participants enrolled, 63 participants exited, 60% placement rate, $21.86 average hourly wage at placement, $8,666.67 cost per placement, 55% percentage of enrollments with completed training, 50% employment rate 2ND quarter after exit (% of program exiters who are in unsubsidized employment in the second quarter after exit from the program), 30% employment rate 4TH quarter after exit (% of program exiters who are in unsubsidized employment in the fourth quarter after exit from the program), $8,527 median earnings 2ND quarter after exit (the median quarterly earnings of program exiters who are in unsubsidized employment in the second quarter after exit from the program)coalition for the homeless (HUD COC), dress for success, combined arms, salvation army, star of hope mission, houston housing authority, prison entrepreneurship program, HUD-vash, harris county, united way of greater houston, workforce solutions (AJC), open door mission, the beacon, and lone star legal aidrecipient of other funding: hvrp-PY22 award HV38385